Syllabus

North Central Texas College Syllabus    Winter 2020             

 

Course Title:

      Texas Government

Course Prefix & Number:

GOVT2306

    Section                 Number:

0233

Semester/Year:

Winter 2020

Semester Credit Hours:

3

Lecture Hours:

3

Lab Hours:

0

Course Description (NCTC Catalog):

Origin and Development of the Texas constitution, structure and powers of state and local government, federalism and inter-governmental relations, political participation, the election process, public policy and the political culture of Texas.       

Course Prerequisite(s): None

Required Course Materials:

Mora’s “The State of Texas” (4th ed.).   With Connect Access 

             

Follow the link to the Online Book            The Online Content is Mandatory

https://connect.mheducation.com/class/k-stewart-texas-government-2306-winter-term-2020

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Karen Stewart

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth Room 201

Telephone Number:

940-498-6295         Personal 940-597-9110

E-mail Address:

 kstewart@nctc.edu

 

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Virtual 1-2

 

Virtual 1-5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog)

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

 

1.    Explain the origin and development of the Texas Constitution.

 

2.     Demonstrate an understanding of state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

 

3.    Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.

 

4.    Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.

 

5.    Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

 

6.     Analyze the state and local election process.

 

7.     Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens

 

8.     Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of Texas.

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

Final Exam                           100 Points                Governors Paper    100 Points

10 Quizzes                           150 Points                Attendance Up to 20 Points

6 Discussions                      150 Points

           

Grades are Based on the Following

500-450= A               449-399=B                398-348=C                347-297=D

Below 296=F

 

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered. All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor. It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval by the faculty member. Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence. Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work. Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor. A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam. Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.  Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

Additional Instructor-specific Absence Policy:

As an online student you are expected to spend time in class everyday. Because this is a quick semester, a few weeks, things will move quickly.

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Jan 5th.

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc. Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

For support, please contact the counselors at (940) 498-6207 or (940) 668-4321. Alternatively, students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA 

(For classes in the Core) 

 

o        Communication

o        Mathematics                       

o        Life and Physical Science

o        Language, Philosophy & Culture

o        Creative Arts

 X         Government/Political Science

o        Social and Behavioral Sciences

o        Component Area Option

o        American History

 REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)

 X               Critical Thinking

X          Communication

o             Empirical and Quantitative

 o             Teamwork

X                Personal Responsibility

X                Social Responsibility

 COURSE TYPE

o             Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

X          Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o        WECM Course

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion. Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty. See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”.

 

 

Grades

It is your responsibility to keep up with your grades through CANVAS.  Know where your grade stands at all times in the class.

 

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Adam Ramsey

Office Location:

Gainesville Campus

Telephone Number:

940-668-7731, ext. 4925

E-mail Address:

aramsey@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dr. Bruce King

Office Location:

1500 North Corinth St, Corinth, TX 76208-5408

Telephone Number:

940-498-6464

E-mail Address:

bking@nctc.edu

 

 

 

Tentative Course Calendar: The instructor has the right to amend when needed

 

Week 1

December 21-27th             

Module 1

Chapter 1 Intro to Texas History and Politics

Chapter 2 American Federal System

Chapter 3 The Texas Legislature

Chapter 4 The Executive in Texas 

 

                                 Quiz Chapter 1 Online      15 Points      Due Dec. 27th

                                    Quiz Chapter 2 Online      15 Points      Due Dec 27th

                                    Quiz Chapter 4 Online      15 Points      Due Dec 27th

                                    Discussion Post                 35 Points      Due Dec. 27th                                

           

Week 2

December 28- Jan 3rd 

MODULE 2

Chapter 5 The Court System in Texas   

Chapter 6 The Criminal Justice System  

Chapter 7 Local Governments

Chapter 8 Public Opinion and the Media 

 

                        Quiz Chapter 5 Online      15 Points      Due Jan 3rd 

                        Quiz Chapter 7 Online      15 Points      Due Jan 3rd

                        Quiz Chapter 8 Online      15 Points      Due Jan 3rd

                        Discussion Post                 35 Points      Due Jan 3rd

                        Governors of Texas           100 Points    Due Jan 3rd                           

 

                                   

 

 

 

 

Week 3

January 4th- 10th

MODULE 3

Chapter 9 Voting and Political Participation

Chapter 10 Campaigns and Elections

Chapter 11 Political Parties

 

                        Quiz Chapter 9 Online      15 Points      Due Jan 10th

                        Quiz Chapter 10 Online    15 Points      Due Jan 10th

                        Quiz Chapter 11 Online    15 Points      Due Jan 10th

                        Discussion Post                 40 Points      Due Jan 10th

 

 

                                    

Week 4   Final Week

January 11-14th

Module 4

Chapter 12 Interest Groups

Chapter 13 Public Policy

Chapter 14 Financing State Government

 

 

                        Quiz Chapter 12 Online          15 Points         Due Jan 13th

 

                        Discussion Post                       40 Points         Due Jan 13th

 

                        Final Exam                              100 Points       Due Jan 14th

 

 

Ungrouped